Avoid sun exposure when fasting, physicians say

AMMAN — With Ramadan falling at the start of summer, experts warn that sun exposure can be dangerous for people who are fasting and work outdoors or have chronic diseases.

Muslims fast from dawn to dusk during Ramadan and in the summer this is around 16 hours.  

With temperatures over 35°C, exposure to the sun can lead to dehydration and increases the risk of a drop in blood pressure and low blood sugar levels, doctors told The Jordan Times.  

People who work outside doing physical labour are at an increased risk of sunstroke, particularly if they are fasting, said physician Mukhles Mazahreh.

“[Outdoor] workers sweat a lot and their blood pressure drops, which increases the possibility of falls and injuries,” he told The Jordan Times on Tuesday.

Workers who are abstaining from drinking water while fasting are at risk of kidney problems, Mazahreh said.

He advised workers to stay in the shade if possible, and to drink a lot of water after the iftar meal, which breaks the daily fast.  

Elderly people with chronic heart or kidney diseases should not fast, and neither should diabetics, especially those who will be exposed to the sun, the doctor said,

“Not drinking water for 16 hours increases creatinine and uric acid levels,” he explained.

While physician Mohammad Abu Sharar agreed, he said that diabetics and those with high blood pressure or kidney diseases should consult their doctors for advice on whether they can fast. 

Doctors will examine the patient’s medical condition and blood sugar levels to determine whether a fast is advisable, he said. 

Some medications for chronic diseases must be taken with food, Abu Sharar noted. 

Mazahreh added that pregnant women should also avoid sun exposure while fasting, as the loss of fluids increases the chances of urinary infections and low blood pressure.

Children, especially those with diabetes, must be careful when fasting, the doctor said.